Real Madrid Have an Inability to Control Games in the Midfield

Real Madrid once again failed to control the game through the midfield, surrendering possession for large parts of the match to Juventus.

The Bianconeri's midfield trio of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and particularly Paul Pogba were able to edge the 90 minutes in their favour against Real's Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Luka Modric.

It has been a problem that Los Merengues have encountered throughout the current campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.

It will be a concern for Madridistas, as despite Juve's undoubted quality, there are a selection of better sides that they could face in Europe, and their inability to stamp their authority on matches will potentially be their downfall.

Ancelotti Continues to Fail to Instill an Urgency into His Team

Ancelotti will face question once more as to why his side failed to start quickly, something that is increasingly becoming a trend in this team.

While there were some nice patches of possession, they were ultimately harmless, and Juve eventually began to control matters.

At half-time, Juve thoroughly deserved their lead, and despite a lack of necessity to take a victory from this game after a perfect start in the opening three matches, it will have been duly noted by rival sides that Real can be troubled early on.

Ancelotti's men were drifting in and out of the game, and aside from the spell at the beginning of the second half, in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale wrestled the game back toward the Spaniards, Juve had plenty of joy.

In big games against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Real also trailed at the halfway stage, something that will have to be eradicated if Los Blancos are going to claim the major honours.

Fernando Llorente Has Finally Settled

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Fernando Llorente seems to have finally settled in a black and white shirt.

The Spaniard scored another crucial goal for the Old Lady, equalising to earn a vital point for Juve, that gives them the edge in their pursuit of qualification to the knockout phase of the competition.

Great movement to slip Raphael Varane gave him the space to glance a header into the far corner to send the Juventus Stadium into raptures.

The Lion King—as Juventini have affectionately named him—is perfectly suited to this 4-3-3 formation that Antonio Conte appears to have settled on for the Champions League.

However, Llorente will need to facilitate Carlos Tevez when the Bianconeri return to the 3-5-2 if he is to earn a permanent role in the starting line-up and therefore hold off competition from a fit-again Fabio Quagliarella and the returning Mirko Vucinic.

Competition is rife for a place in the World Cup squad for the Spanish national team, with David Villa, Fernando Torres, Roberto Soldado, Alvaro Negredo and potentially Diego Costa all vying for minimal places in La Roja's front line—a task that has become even more problematic given Vicente del Bosque's lack of a dependency on centre-forwards.

Llorente will have a chance, though, as form like this will catch the eye given the greater profile of Juventus compared to Athletic Club.

The 28-year-old appears to be up for the challenge, and he is now adapted enough to Italian football and Antonio Conte's methods to make a late run for a ticket to Brazil.